Abstract: A color image recording apparatus which employs an intermediate recording medium such as a mask member carrying a monochromatic image and a colored original. The intermediate recording medium is superposed with a photosensitive pressure sensitive recording medium at an exposure zone, and light is irradiated thereon through the intermediate recording medium to provide a latent image on the photosensitive recording medium corresponding to the image on the intermediate recording medium. A color identification means is provided so as to identify color of the intermediate recording medium when it is positioned upstream of the exposure zone. The color identification means generates a signal indicative of the color, so that one of red, green, blue and white light in the light source is lighted in response to the signal.

Abstract: In an optical printing system for printing an image on a recording sheet, adopted as the recording sheet is a sheet coated with microcapsules on one surface thereof. Each microcapsule envelopes a first component which changes color when reacts with a second component. The second component may be coated on the recording sheet or may be coated on a separate developing sheet. The microcapsule further envelopes a third component which varies the mechanical strength of microcapsule when light is projected thereto. An image is formed on the recording sheet by selectively exposing a light thereto in accordance with the image to be printed thereon, and the microcapsules on the recording sheet whose mechanical strength is low are then ruptured by rupturing means. Thereby, the color is developed or the recording sheet on the separate developing sheet by the reaction of the first component with the second component.